Wage freeze among terms of new four-year contract with Burton's largest union

View full sizeFile PhotoBurton City Council members ratified a new four-year union contract with AFSCME, the city's largest bargaining unit that includes 34 employees.

BURTON, MI -- A four-year wage freeze and move for 34 employees to pay 20 percent of health care coverage were a few of the changes in a new four-year contract with the AFSCME union in Burton.

City Council members approved the contract, effective until June 30, 2016, by a 5-to-1 vote during a special meeting Monday evening attended by three people.

Burton Mayor Paula Zelenko said the contract that a freeze in a yearly three percent wage increase shows employees are willing to help the city during tough financial times, as well as the change to health insurance costs.

"I think it is a big concession," she said of the move regarding health insurance. "I think that employees really stepped right up to the plate."

The wage freeze is important for the city, which based part of its 2012-13 budget on unions accepting the move that would save $300,000 in costs. Negotiations are ongoing with the city's other five unions, which Zelenko has said are progressing along.

Another change in the AFSCME contract is restructuring overtime pay to time-and-a-half after employees hit 40 hours, not after an eight-hour work day, and 11 employees will receive an additional four, paid sick days to match other employees.

Councilman Steve Heffner cast the lone no vote, stating roughly 80 percent of money in the city's budget is used on payroll expenses.

"I feel that as a councilman, it's my job to get the best contract for the residents," he said. "I didn't feel this was the best contract for the residents."

But Councilman Danny Wells and Council President Tom Martinbianco voiced their appreciation for union members to work with the city on the adjustments.

"Thank you for everything you do for the city. It's appreciated," said Wells, while Martinbianco commented the deal "shows true leadership in a lot of respects."

"It speaks volumes about what AFSCME has done of course and what the (city) leadership has done as well," he said.